Students, educators and community leaders gathered at Ronald A. McNair Public School 5 in Bed-Stuy on May 16 for the school’s annual STEMMY Awards, a student-led ceremony celebrating academic achievement and community impact.
The event was hosted by Antioch Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Robert M. Waterman alongside Dr. Melissa Chester and Waliek Crandall, while students Adeleke and Joseph Kayode served as co-hosts. The evening opened with a poetry performance by student Aminatah Diallo and a dance presentation from the Gye Nyame Dancers.
Families, faculty and guests also welcomed a surprise appearance from R&B singer Jimmy Cozier, who performed his hit song “She’s All I Got” during the ceremony.
“Being in a room full of bright, gifted students fills me with hope. I want to thank the educators for their deep investment in these children and the parents for sharing their brilliance,” said Jimmy Cozier.
The program honored several education and community leaders for their contributions to youth and public education, including Early Childhood Coordinator Diandra Verwayne; Brandon Baskin of Vivid Imagination; Lenika Vance, executive director for New York City Public Schools District 16; Anne Marie Malcolm of New York City Public Schools; Mitzie Agard, Brooklyn director for Brooklyn North; and Dr. Jada John of the Big Apple Leadership Academy for the Arts.
Following a musical performance by student Skylar Sagon, students and staff presented former City Council Member Annette Robinson with a special community award recognizing her longtime advocacy and service in Central Brooklyn.
Additional honorees included Lori Stephens of GOOD for Girls Inc.; Garland Core Jr. of Janes United Methodist Church; Rev. Cheryl Verne Williams of Platinum Angel Group Entertainment; and Melissa Plowden Norman, a community resource advocate and Friends of Saratoga Park team lead. NAACP Youth President Nile Anderson was also recognized during the event.
The ceremony concluded with a performance by the PS 5 United Steppers and student awards recognizing academic excellence, improvement and participation in programs including aviation, drones, music and Brooklyn Boatworks.
The STEMMY Awards celebrate academic excellence and community involvement while highlighting students, educators and local stakeholders supporting PS 5 students and families.
